Written answers
Thursday, 14 October 2010
Department of Education and Science
Departmental Expenditure
5:00 pm
Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 55: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the recommendations contained in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes that pertain to his Department; the detail of each and proposed savings relating to his Department; which of these have been implemented to date and the expected savings to be achieved on each of these in one calendar year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36991/10]
Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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2057The recommendations made in the report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes relating to my Department are set out in Chapter 6 of the second volume of the Group's report. In addition, recommendations in relation to Labour Force Development are set out in Chapter 7. These recommendations were fully assessed and considered by my Department. The recommendations which were incorporated in Budget 2010, together with estimated savings yields for 2010 where relevant, are set out in the attached table.
The recommendations made by the Special Group will be further considered and will assist in the context of agreeing the expenditure allocation for my Department for 2011 and future years.
| Department of Education and Skills | |
| Implementation of recommendations of report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes | Comment regarding allocation for 2010 |
| Staffing efficiencies in the primary/post-primary sectors | Savings from cessation of supply teacher scheme at primary level and changes to uncertified sick leave for teachers. (There was also a further reduction of €20m arising from an estimating reduction in light of the projected 2009 outturn). |
| Reduction in the number of Special Needs Assistants | A Nationwide review of SNA posts undertaken by the National Council for Special Education has resulted in an overall net reduction of some 439 SNA posts to date (when account is taken for reductions as a result of students having left school and diminishing care needs of other students, offset by allocations in respect of new students). However, the net change in 2010 numbers over 2009 will not be known until the impact of increases for demographics is known at end of year. |
| Integration of Senior Traveller Training | Reduction of 300 in number of Senior Traveller Training places |
| Staffing efficiencies across third level sector | Savings estimated in respect of pay and non-pay efficiencies |
| Merge Higher Education Authority (HEA) into the Department of Education and Science | No merger but allocation to HEA reduced |
| Reduction in the allocation for teacher training colleges | Savings estimated in relation to pre-service teacher education |
| Reduction in the allocation for Research and Development | Partial reduction |
| Reduction in the allocation to the Strategic Innovation Fund | Partial reduction |
| Reduction in the allocation to Student Support Grant | 5% reduction in rates of student grants and scholarships applied, providing €10m in savings. Further €4m in savings effected by removal of eligibility for student support grants from recipients of Back to Education Allowance and certain persons pursuing PLC courses. (Note - overall allocation for student supports for 2010 was increased to take account of an anticipated increase in the number of eligible students at third level). |
| Reduce allocation to school transport | Partial reduction |
| Reduce allocation for teacher in-service training & funding for education centres | Savings and efficiencies effected in relation to teacher in-service education support |
| Absorb National Council for Special Education (NCSE) into the Department of Education and Science | NCSE not absorbed but allocation reduced |
| Reduce allocation to certain Local Drugs Task Force (LDTF) Projects | Funding for 2010 reduced |
| Reduction in allocation for National Council for Curriculum and Assessment | Funding for 2010 reduced |
| Discontinue National University of Ireland and transfer functions | Bill to establish a new qualifications and quality assurance agency for the further and higher education sectors is being prepared. The NUI will be discontinued as part of this process. |
| Funding of FAS Services to Business and Skillnets | The FAS Services Budget was reduced to €5.368m in 2010 |
| Savings on Training for the Unemployed | FAS Training Allowances were abolished for participants who do not qualify for Jobseekers Benefit/Allowances |
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